Monthly Archives: June 2024

Harry Leider & Steven Krein podcast

From Biotech to Walgreens: Lessons From 25 Years as a Physician Executive



This episode of StartUp Health NOW features a special guest host, Steven Krein, CEO & Co-founder of StartUp Health. Earlier this week, Steve led a  Masterclass with Harry Leider, MD, a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience.

Dr. Leider offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs, sharing his expertise across various sectors – from biotech to the world of retail pharmacy giants like Walgreens. Get ready for tactical advice on understanding your customers, launching minimum viable products (MVPs), navigating lengthy sales cycles, and much more, in this Q&A with real questions from founders in the StartUp Health community.

This episode is packed with wisdom for anyone building a business in the healthcare industry. Tune in and learn from Dr. Leider’s extensive experience.



Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease?
 Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

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A Masterclass with the Founder of One of the Great Success Stories in Health Innovation



Virta Health is one of the greatest success stories in health tech today.

Join us for an insightful StartUp Health NOW episode featuring Sami Inkinen, the visionary CEO & Founder of Virta Health, a pioneering company focused on the reversal of Type 2 diabetes. In this Masterclass, originally recorded in front of a virtual audience of entrepreneurs in the StartUp Health community, Inkinen – also a member of the community – shares his journey and the innovative strategies behind Virta Health’s success.

Inkinen’s impressive background includes co-founding Trulia, leading it to a successful IPO and eventual sale to Zillow Group. At Virta Health, he’s raised $366M and achieved a $2B valuation, with the company recognized as a TIME100 Most Influential Company in 2023. Beyond his business acumen, Sami is a world-class athlete and health advocate, known for his rowing expedition to raise awareness about diabetes.

In this episode, Inkinen delves into:

  • The biggest surprises he faced as a health tech founder
  • Balancing his roles as CEO, father, and husband
  • The strategic planning rhythms that drive Virta’s mission
  • His personal journey, from existential crises to global health impact

As is typical of members of the StartUp Health community, Inkinen is generous in sharing his wisdom. Tune in to learn from his experience and gain valuable insights into leadership and achieving sustainable product-market fit in the digital health industry.


Innovating in Alzheimer’s disease? Learn how you can join our new Alzheimer’s Moonshot.

Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

FundersBecome a Health Moonshot Champion


Inside the Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board: Fostering Collaboration for Alzheimer's Innovation

Gates Ventures’ Aishu Sukumar Is Fostering Collaboration on StartUp Health’s Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board



Breaking Down Silos for Alzheimer’s Innovation: A Conversation with Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures

This episode of StartUp Health NOW welcomes Aishu Sukumar of Gates Ventures in another in our series of conversations with our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board.

  • A champion for collaboration: Explore Sukumar’s vision for leveraging data and fostering collaboration among Alzheimer’s innovators.
  • From research scientist to moonshot leader: Discover Sukumar’s unique career path that bridges science, business, and healthcare, taking her from Harvard Medical School and Berkeley to working at startups and then to Gates Ventures.
  • The power of a Health Moonshot Community: Learn how this initiative is uniting innovators to accelerate progress against Alzheimer’s.

This episode is for you if:

  • You’re passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s.
  • You believe in the power of collaboration in tackling complex challenges.
  • You’re curious about the journeys of inspiring healthcare leaders.

Want even more about Alzheimer’s disease innovation?

Join us as we explore how Aishu Sukumar’s diverse background is shaping the future of Alzheimer’s research as a member of our Alzheimer’s Moonshot Impact Board.


Want more content like this? Sign up for StartUp Health Insider™ to get funding insights, news, and special updates delivered to your inbox.

FundersBecome a Health Moonshot Champion